After Years In The Desert, Nissan's Sentra Is Relevant Again

When Nissan first brought the Sentra to the American market in the early 1980s, it was a success: After a year of sales, it was the best-selling import and fourth best-selling passenger car in the country.

But by the early 2000s, it had fallen behind competitors like the Honda Civic and Ford Fiesta.

To return the Sentra to the top of the list, Nissan has worked to meet the new realities of the small car market, which now demands fuel economy and amenities long reserved for luxury cars, as well as affordability.